a tentpole movie is

[dalt01]

one that "holds up" the studio that makes it. in other words some movies for any given studio are flops, the tentpole makes up for them so the studio on average is profitable for the season or year. the phrase comes from the center pole of a circus tent. just a correction, no malice intended

 

[mainegal]

This definition sounds right to me, too.

I just read an entertainment magazine at the gym last week that was reviewing the entertainment of 2009. The referred to a tent pole summer blockbuster movie as a studio moneymaker.

I had never heard the term before. But in context, the above definition makes sense rather than a movie that makes money from sequels.

 

[FireDancer]

Here I thought it was a movie that has terrible music, a complete lack of plot, and an over abundance of nurses that are much friendlier then any I have ever encountered.

Who knew.

 

[dalt01]

Here I thought it was a movie that has terrible music, a complete lack of plot, and an over abundance of nurses that are much friendlier then any I have ever encountered.

Who knew.

now i know how you spend your evenings.